Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Santa Clara, Panama is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With the region's tropical climate, residents and visitors alike face significant UV exposure risks, particularly during peak hours when the UV Index can soar as high as 14. This awareness is key to preventing sunburns and long-term skin damage, helping you enjoy the beautiful local beaches and outdoor activities safely. By keeping an eye on UV levels throughout the day, you can make informed decisions about sun protection and enjoy the sun responsibly in this stunning coastal paradise.
The UV Index starts off gently at 1 by 7:00 AM, a perfect time for outdoor activities with minimal sun exposure. As the day progresses, the index steadily climbs, reaching a moderate 2 at 8:00 AM and climbing to 5 by 9:00 AM. The sun continues to rise, peaking dramatically at 12:00 PM with a maximum of 14, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The intensity remains high at 13 until 1:00 PM, before gradually tapering off; it dips to 11 at 2:00 PM, and further decreases to 7 by 3:00 PM. As evening approaches, the UI sinks back to a comfortable 2 at 5:00 PM, finally mellowing to 1 and 0 as daylight fades into night. Plan your sun activity wisely to stay safe!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index displays a notable trend of extreme exposure levels throughout the year, particularly from January to August, with values ranging from 12 to 15. High-risk months for UV exposure are marked from March to May, when the index peaks at 14 to 15, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. Even as the summer months transition into fall, levels remain dangerously high. It's crucial for visitors and residents alike to be aware of these risks; protective measures such as sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential, especially during these high-risk periods. While November and December show slightly reduced UV indexes, caution is still advised, as even lower levels can present risks for prolonged exposure. Always prioritize sun safety to reduce the likelihood of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Arraijan UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Juan Diaz UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| San Miguelito UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Panama UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| David UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 |